Girls State Basketball preview
Edie Peterson is listed as a player to watch at state basketball
By Tony Chapman, NSAA
How deep is the 2025 Class C-2 girls basketball field? Unbeaten and 26-0 Elkhorn Valley was able to garner just the fourth-seed via the NSAA power point standings. Only defending champion Yutan has advanced to Lincoln with fewer than 20 wins.
Yes, it’s that deep.
Consider that the seventh-seed, Yutan (18-6), will have a 2024 championship game rematch with Crofton in the opening round. And, one of the top chasers to top-ranked Crofton this year has been Guardian Angels Central Catholic, which is the eighth-seed. The Bluejays face top-seeded Johnson-Brock (25-1), who has a lone loss to Lincoln Christian on the season.
Johnson-Brock, with senior Taryn Otteman averaging nearly 19 points and nine rebounds per contest, is on the same side of the bracket with Elkhorn Valley. The Falcons get double digit scoring from seniors Karlee Brobeg (16.6 points) and JJ Black (12.4) and sophomore Cameron Rutjens (12.0). EV will face 24-2 Cross County in the first round.
The Crofton-Yutan winner will get either Oakland-Craig or Homer in the semifinals. The Knights, with senior standout Briar Ray (13.8 points, 7 rebounds/game, 85 steals, 82 assists) are making their sixth appearance in seven years and were state finalists in 2023, losing to Pender in the Class C-2 final. Homer – the 2011 champion – makes their first state appearance since 2014.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bailey Gerths (GACC), 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds/game. JJ Black (Elkhorn Valley), 12.4 points, 9.2 rebounds/game, 86 blocks, 84 assists. Eden Peterson (Cross County) 13.1 points, 2.8 rebounds/game. Sammie Allen (Crofton), 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds/game, 77 steals. Mylee Tichota (Yutan), 16 points, 8.8 rebounds/game, 91 steals, 81 assists. Adi Rennerfeldt (Oakland-Craig), 14.1 points, 4.1 rebounds/game. Ali Albrecht (Homer) 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds/game.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (THURSDAY). At Devaney Center | Johnson-Brock (25-1) vs. Guardian Angels Central Catholic (21-5), 9:00 AM; Elkhorn Valley (26-0) vs. Cross County (24-2),10:45 AM; Crofton (23-3) vs. Yutan (18-6), 1:30 PM; Oakland-Craig (23-3) vs. Homer (24-2), 3:15 PM.
